LAST UPDATED: MARCH 2026
Love museums but not the ticket prices? Good news, many local museums and art galleries offer free admission on select days. From world-class art to hands-on history, here’s your guide to exploring top museums without spending a dime.
Multiple Locations
Every first Saturday at 6PM, the WeHo Art Crawl turns the neighborhood into a free, walkable gallery tour. Explore local art, live music, and creative spaces like David Lusk Gallery, Julia Martin, and Coop Gallery, all open to the public for one vibrant night out.
Photo: Julia martin gallery website
223 4th Ave N
The Arcade is home to Second Saturdays monthly from 6-9PM, offering free gallery access, new exhibitions, and even complimentary wine and snacks. This event highlights the city’s vibrant arts scene, welcoming both seasoned and new art lovers.
Photo: IMGRNT
100 Taylor St.
On the third Saturday of each month from 4-9PM, the 100 Taylor Arts Market invites you to shop, mingle, eat and drink as they bring Germantown to life with 60+ local artists, live music, craft beer, and community vibes, all in one beautiful creative space.
Photo: 100 Taylor Facebook
1411 Buchanan Street
Artist Alex Lockwood created the studio in 2016, and gallery in 2017. Located in the heart of Salemtown, this gem focuses on the work of a range of local and regional artists in every medium. They highlight group and solo exhibitions and hours are Fridays + Saturdays 12-6PM, or by appt. Upcoming shows list here.
photo: Elephant Gallery website
211 7th Ave N
Discover the National Museum of African American Music for free on the first Wednesday of every month (no ticket needed). Through interactive galleries, live performances, rare artifacts, and cutting-edge technology, NMAAM brings the untold stories behind America’s soundtrack to life. This cultural cornerstone transforms music history into an immersive, educational, and deeply moving experience.
Photo: Facebook
2500 West End Ave
The Parthenon offers free admission for SNAP and WIC participants, just show your EBT card at the ticket counter for entry for up to four people. Active-duty military families also enjoy free access from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
Photo by Jodie Walton on Unsplash
224 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Explore Hatch Show Print, one of America’s oldest letterpress shops, still thriving in Nashville. Step back to the 1800s, watch iconic posters being made, and experience a living piece of the city’s rich music and art history. While you can view the work in progress for free, their tours are only free to those 5 and under.
Photo: CNN
224 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Across from Hatch Show Print, The Haley Gallery showcases the cultural legacy of country music through art, archives, and exhibitions. Part of a larger nonprofit network that includes Hatch Show Print and RCA Studio B, it plays a key role in preserving and celebrating the genre’s deep roots and ongoing impact.
Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame
Multiple Locations
Nashville’s streets double as an open-air gallery, showcasing massive, colorful murals. From garage doors to water tanks, each painting tells a unique story, adding vibrancy and personality to Music City’s ever-evolving art scene.
Photo: Photowalk Your Travel
1220 21st Ave S
Located on Vanderbilt’s campus, this gallery showcases rotating exhibits spanning centuries of artistic expression. Open weekdays and weekends, it’s a cultural gem offering a fresh perspective on art, history, and creativity with every visit.
Photo: Vanderbilt University
170 1st Ave N
Step into Nashville’s past at Fort Nashborough. This reconstructed 18th-century settlement brings history to life with log cabins, interactive exhibits, and stories of the city’s earliest pioneers.
Photo: Tom Gatlin
404 Hogan Rd
Explore Tennessee’s farming heritage with antique tools, heirloom gardens, and a historic log cabin village. A peaceful wooded trail completes this immersive journey into the state’s agricultural past.
Photo: Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl
1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd
From prehistoric artifacts to modern history, this museum covers it all. Learn about Tennessee’s cultural, musical, and historical impact through interactive exhibits and extensive collections. Admission is FREE!
Photo: Tennessee State Museum
919 Broadway
With ever-changing exhibitions and an interactive art-making space, the Frist Art Museum ensures there’s always something new to experience. Perfect for families, kids can create their own masterpieces at Martin ArtQuest. Guests 18 and younger gain free admission!
Bank of America Cardholders also get the opportunity for free entry on the first weekend of every month as part of their Museums on Us program.
Photo: Frist Art Museum
1100 Fort Negley Blvd
The Visitors Center offers insight into Nashville’s complex ties to the Federal Government during the Civil War and explores the site's evolving significance through the 20th century and beyond.
Photo: Nashville.gov
9676 Old Highway 46
Once Johnny Cash’s private retreat, this museum offers a rare glimpse into the Man in Black’s life. Explore memorabilia, lush farmland, and a piece of Tennessee’s rich musical legacy. With its commitment to accessibility, the Storytellers Hideaway Farm & Museum offers free admission for kids under twelve, making it a must-visit for families in Nashville.
Photo: Condé Nast Traveler
Discover the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum, where the legacy of this iconic breed comes to life through historic tack, trophies, and interactive exhibits. Dive into the rich heritage, unique gait, and captivating stories behind Tennessee’s symbol of pride, and saddle up for a journey through equestrian excellence!
Photo: TWHN Museum Facebook
Did we draw the wrong conclusion or brush over a free museum day? Let us know at [email protected]! We want to paint the perfect picture.
